Surgical instruments with interactive features to remedy incidental sled movements

ABSTRACT

A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument an elongated channel and a driving member. The staple cartridge comprising a deck defining a tissue contacting surface, a housing, and a cartridge pan releasably attachable to the elongated channel. The staple cartridge further comprises retaining features, staple drivers stored in the housing between the deck and the cartridge pan, and staples stored in the housing. The staples are deployable through the deck into tissue by the staple drivers. The staple cartridge further comprises a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position to motivate the staple drivers to deploy the staples. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement of the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a staple cartridge assembly that comprises an elongated channel comprising a first retaining feature, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan comprising a second retaining feature, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with advantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a motor operable, inner core, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing in an open configuration and the inner core shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 3 having a different color associated therewith and being in a closed configuration, and the inner core shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of a non-articulatable loading unit, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of an articulatable loading unit, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a loading unit, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an expanded view of a portion of the loading unit of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the distal end of a drive assembly showing a latch member of a firing lockout assembly in a first or unlocked configuration.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the distal end of the drive assembly of FIG. 9 showing the latch member in a second or locked configuration.

FIG. 11 is a partial exploded view of a staple cartridge assembly of a load unit, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the loading unit of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a partial exploded view of a staple cartridge, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a partial exploded view of a staple cartridge, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a partial exploded view of a staple cartridge assembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge assembly including the staple cartridge of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge including a sled and a retaining feature, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a partial upside down perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 illustrates a method of assembling the sled of the staple cartridge of FIG. 22 with the retaining feature.

FIG. 25 partially illustrates a staple cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge and an elongated channel, and a drive member of a loading unit, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 partially illustrates the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 25, wherein the staple cartridge is properly seated in the elongated channel.

FIG. 27 is a partial transverse cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a partial transverse cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a partial perspective of a staple cartridge, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a logic flow diagram of a process depicting a control program or a logic configuration, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a diagram of a surgical stapling instrument including a firing system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 illustrates a drive member of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 32 at three positions along a firing path thereof, and a sled advanceable by the drive member to deploy staples of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 illustrates the drive member FIG. 32 at two positions along the firing path.

FIG. 35 is a graph depicting, on the x-axis, the distance (δ) traveled by the drive member along the firing path from a starting position, and on the y-axis, the firing speed (V) and corresponding electrical load of the motor during a firing stroke of the powered surgical stapling instrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 illustrates a staple cartridge including a retaining feature for maintaining a sled within the staple cartridge at a home position, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 illustrates the staple cartridge of FIG. 36 where the sled is advanced distally within the staple cartridge beyond the home position.

FIG. 38 illustrates the retaining feature of the staple cartridge of FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 illustrates a partial exploded view of a surgical stapling assembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 40 is a graph illustrating varying resistances, on the y-axis, of a sled detection circuit and corresponding travel distances, on the x-axis, of a sled of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge including a sled reset circuit, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 42-44 illustrate three positions of a sled over staple cartridge with respect to a retaining feature, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 45 illustrates a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge including a sled retaining feature, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46 illustrates the staple cartridge of FIG. 45 with a removed cartridge pan to expose the sled retaining feature.

FIG. 47 illustrates a simplified partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge assembly with a sled at a home position and at a position different than the home position, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 48 illustrates a simplified partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 47 with a working end of a drive member being advanced to engage a raised portion of a sled resetting member, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 49 illustrates a handle of a surgical instrument including a firing trigger movable to a first position and a second position, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 50 illustrates a motor assembly operably coupled to a sled resetting member, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 51 illustrates a handle of a surgical instrument including a firing trigger and a sled resetting actuator, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 52 illustrates a partial exploded view of a loading unit including an anvil and a surgical stapling assembly including a staple cartridge for assembly with an elongated channel, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 53 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the loading unit of FIG. 52, showing a staple cartridge assembled with an elongated channel in an unlocked configuration and an anvil in an open configuration with the elongated channel

FIG. 54 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the loading unit of FIGS. 52 and 53 showing the staple cartridge and the elongated channel in a locked configuration and the anvil in a closed configuration with the elongated channel.

FIG. 55 illustrates a partial perspective view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 52 in the locked configuration.

FIG. 56 illustrates a partial perspective view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 52 being transitioned into from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

FIG. 57 illustrates a partial perspective view of a surgical stapling assembly including a retainer, a staple cartridge, and an elongated channel, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 58-61 illustrate a method of utilizing the retainer of FIG. 57 to release the staple cartridge from the elongated channel.

FIG. 62 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge assembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application also owns the following U.S. patent applications that were filed on even date herewith and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application entitled METHOD FOR TISSUE TREATMENT BY SURGICAL INSTRUMENT; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP1/200802-1M;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SLED LOCATION DETECTION AND ADJUSTMENT FEATURES; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP3/200802-3;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CARTRIDGE RELEASE MECHANISMS; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP4/200802-4;

U.S. patent application entitled DUAL-SIDED REINFORCED RELOAD FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP5/200802-5;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT RELOAD DETECTION; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP6/200802-6;

U.S. patent application entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR POWER TRANSMISSION ACROSS STERILE BARRIER; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP7/200802-7;

U.S. patent application entitled DEVICES AND METHODS OF MANAGING ENERGY DISSIPATED WITHIN STERILE BARRIERS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HOUSINGS; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP8/200802-8;

U.S. patent application entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH EXTERNAL CONNECTORS; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP9/200802-9;

U.S. patent application entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART RELOAD WITH SEPARATELY ATTACHABLE EXTERIORLY MOUNTED WIRING CONNECTIONS; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP10/200802-10;

U.S. patent application entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMMUNICATION INTERFACES THROUGH STERILE BARRIER; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP11/200802-11; and

U.S. patent application entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTI-PHASE TISSUE TREATMENT; Attorney Docket No. END9291USNP12/200802-12.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, the disclosure of each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,385, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,403, entitled METHOD OF CLOUD BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,407, entitled METHOD OF ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,416, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423, entitled METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,427, entitled METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,433, entitled METHOD OF SENSING PARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT, ADJUSTING THE PUMP SPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE HUB;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,447, entitled METHOD FOR SMOKE EVACUATION FOR SURGICAL HUB;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,453, entitled METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,458, entitled METHOD FOR SMART ENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,465, entitled METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,478, entitled METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION OR USAGE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,490, entitled METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,491, entitled METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the end effector and elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is not removable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. The second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge is positioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck. Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavities defined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of a longitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples may be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second, or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The drivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient members configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positions and their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of ramped surfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, and the staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled toward the distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further comprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam which engages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, the first cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap, between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firing member also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for the knife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the ramped surfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a surgical instrument system is provided, such as, for example, an electromechanical surgical instrument system 10. System 10 includes a handle assembly 100, a plurality of types of adapter or shaft assemblies such as, for example, adapter assembly 200 a, and a plurality of types of end effectors such as, for example, end effector 300 a. Handle assembly 100 is configured for selective attachment thereto with any one of a number of adapter assemblies, for example, adapter assembly 200 a, and, in turn, each unique adapter assembly 200 a is configured for selective connection with any number of surgical loading units or end effectors, such as, for example, end effector 300 a. End effector 300 a and adapter assembly 200 a are configured for actuation and manipulation by handle assembly 100. Upon connecting one adapter assembly 200 a, for example, to handle assembly 100 and one type of end effector such as, for example, end effector 300 a to the selected adapter assembly 200 a, a powered, hand-held, electromechanical surgical instrument is formed.

For a detailed description of the construction and operation of an exemplary electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument, reference may be made to International Publication No. WO 2009/039506 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0121049, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, handle assembly 100 includes an inner core 101 and a housing or shell 110 a configured to selectively receive and encase inner core 101. Inner core 101 is motor operable and configured to drive an operation of a plurality of types of end effectors. Inner core 101 has a plurality of sets of operating parameters (e.g., speed of operation of motors of inner core 101, an amount of power to be delivered by motors of inner core 101 to an adapter assembly, selection of motors of inner core 101 to be actuated, functions of an end effector to be performed by inner core 101, or the like). Each set of operating parameters of inner core 101 is designed to drive the actuation of a specific set of functions unique to respective types of end effectors when an end effector is coupled to inner core 101. For example, inner core 101 may vary its power output, deactivate or activate certain buttons thereof, and/or actuate different motors thereof depending on the type of end effector that is coupled to inner core 101.

With specific reference to FIG. 2, inner core 101 defines an inner housing cavity therein in which a power-pack 106 is situated. Power-pack 106 is configured to control the various operations of inner core 101. Power-pack 106 includes a plurality of motors 108 a, 108 b operatively engaged thereto. The rotation of motors 108 a, 108 b function to drive shafts and/or gear components of adapter assembly 200 a, for example, in order to drive the various operations of end effectors attached thereto, for example, end effector 300 a. Although two motors are depicted in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, in other examples, a handle assembly can include more or less than two motors.

In various examples, the handle assembly 100 is replaced with a robotic arm of a robotic system. In such examples, the adapter assembly 200 a may also be effectively employed with a tool drive assembly of a robotically controlled or automated surgical system. For example, the adapter assemblies disclosed herein may be employed with various robotic systems, instruments, components, and methods such as, but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

When end effector 300 a is coupled to inner core 101, motors of power-pack 106 are configured to drive shafts and/or gear components of adapter assembly 200 a in order to selectively move end effector 300 a relative to a proximal body portion 302 a of end effector 300 a, to rotate end effector 300 a about a longitudinal axis “X”, to move a cartridge assembly 308 a and an anvil assembly 306 a of end effector 300 a relative to one another, and/or to fire staples from within cartridge assembly 308 a of end effector 300 a.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, surgical instrument system 10 further includes a disposable outer housing 110. The housing 110 is configured to encase inner core 101 thereby inhibiting surgical debris from penetrating and contaminating inner core 101 during a surgical procedure. The housing 110 selectively encases inner core 101 prior to use and may then be detached from inner core 101 following use in order to be disposed of, or, in some instances, sterilized for re-use.

With reference to FIG. 3, the housing 110 includes a housing portion 112 a. The housing 110 further includes a housing portion 112 b movably coupled to the housing portion 112 b by a hinge 120 a located along an upper edge of housing portion 112 b. Housing portions 112 a, 112 b are pivotable relative to one another between a closed, fully coupled configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, and an open, partially detached configuration, as shown in FIG. 3. When joined, housing portions 112 a, 112 b define a cavity 122 a therein in which inner core 101, memory 114, and a microprocessor 140 may be selectively situated. In certain instances, the housing portions 112 a 112 b may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as, for example, a polycarbonate. In certain instances, the memory 114 and the microprocessor 140 are incorporated into the inner core 101, for example.

It is contemplated that the memory 114 may be non-volatile memories, such as, for example, electrically erasable programmable read-only memories. Memory 114 have stored therein discrete operating parameters of inner core 101 that correspond to the operation of one type of end effector, for example, end effectors such as, for example end effector 300 a and/or one type of adapter assembly such as, for example, adapter assembly 200 a. The operating parameter(s) stored in memory 114 can be at least one of: a speed of operation of motors 108 a, 108 b of inner core 101; an amount of power to be delivered by motors 108 a, 108 b of inner core 101 during operation thereof; which motors 108 a, 108 b of inner core 101 are to be actuated upon operating inner core 101; types of functions of end effectors to be performed by inner core 101; or the like.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a loading unit 16 that may be used in connection with the surgical instrument system 10 in a manner discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the loading unit 16 may generally comprise a tool assembly 17 for performing surgical procedures such as cutting tissue and applying staples on each side of the cut. In particular, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly 18 that houses a plurality of surgical staples therein. The tool assembly 17 also includes a staple-forming anvil assembly 20 that has an anvil portion 204 that has a plurality of staple deforming concavities formed in the undersurface thereof. A cover plate 208 is commonly secured to a top surface of anvil portion 204 to define an anvil cavity therebetween. The anvil cavity is dimensioned to receive a distal end of an axial drive assembly 212. A longitudinal slot 214 extends through anvil portion 204 to facilitate passage of retention flange 284 of axial drive assembly 212 into the anvil cavity. A camming surface 209 is formed on a proximal end of anvil portion 204 and is positioned to engage axial drive assembly 212 to facilitate closing of the anvil assembly 20.

Cartridge assembly 18 generally includes a carrier 216 which defines an elongated support channel 218. Elongated support channel 218 is dimensioned and configured to receive a staple cartridge 220 therein. Such staple cartridge 220 supports a plurality of fasteners and pushers as is known in the art. A plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal slots 230 extend through staple cartridge 220 to accommodate upstanding cam wedges 232 of an actuation sled 234. A central longitudinal slot 282 extends along the length of staple cartridge 220 to facilitate passage of a knife blade 280 formed on the axial drive assembly 212. During operation of the loading unit 16, actuation sled 234 translates through longitudinal slots 230 of staple cartridge 220 to advance cam wedges 232 into sequential contact with the pushers that are operably supported in the cartridge 220 to cause the pushers to translate vertically within the cartridge 220 and urge the fasteners (staples) associated with the pushers into the staple deforming cavities of the anvil assembly 20. A pair of pivot members 211 are formed on the proximal end of the anvil portion 204 and are configured to be received in slots 213 that are formed in carrier 216 to enable the anvil portion 204 to pivot between the open and tissue-clamping positions.

As can also be seen in FIG. 5, the loading unit 16 also has a housing portion 200 that is adapted to snap onto or otherwise be attached to the carrier 216. The axial drive assembly 212 includes an elongated drive beam 266 that has a distal working head 268 and a proximal engagement section 270. As is known, the drive beam 266 may be constructed from a single sheet of material or, preferably, from multiple stacked sheets. Engagement section 270 includes a pair of engagement fingers 270 a and 270 b that are dimensioned and configured to mountingly engage a pair of corresponding retention slots 272 a formed in a drive member 272. Drive member 272 may include a proximal aperture that is configured to receive the distal end of a control rod as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361.

The distal end of drive beam 266 includes a vertical support strut 278 which supports the knife blade 280, and an abutment surface 283 which engages the central portion of actuation sled 234 during a stapling procedure. Surface 285 is located at the base of surface 283 and is configured to receive a support member 287 that is slidably positioned along the bottom of the carrier 216. Knife blade 280 is generally positioned to translate slightly behind actuation sled 234 through a central longitudinal slot 282 in staple cartridge 220 to form an incision between rows of stapled body tissue.

A retention flange 284 projects distally from vertical strut 278 and supports a camming pin 286 at its distal end. Camming pin 286 is dimensioned and configured to engage camming surface 209 on anvil portion 204 to clamp anvil portion 204 against body tissue. In addition, a leaf spring 207 may be provided between the proximal end of the anvil portion 204 and the distal end portion of the housing 200 to bias the anvil assembly 20 to a normally open position. The loading unit 16 may further include a lockout device 288 and spring 304 arrangement as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361.

FIG. 6 illustrates an articulatable loading unit 16′ that includes a tool assembly 17 that has an anvil assembly 20 and cartridge assembly 18. Anvil assembly 20 includes an anvil portion 204 that has a plurality of staple deforming concavities formed in the undersurface thereof. A cover plate 208 is secured to a top surface of anvil portion 204 to define an anvil cavity therebetween. The anvil cavity is dimensioned to receive a distal end of an axial drive assembly 212. A longitudinal slot 214 extends through anvil portion 204 to facilitate passage of retention flange 284 of axial drive assembly 212 into the anvil cavity. A camming surface 209 formed on anvil portion 204 may be positioned to engage axial drive assembly 212 to facilitate clamping of tissue between the anvil assembly 20 and the cartridge assembly 18.

The cartridge assembly 18 includes a carrier 216 that supports a staple cartridge 220 therein. Staple cartridge 220 includes retention slots 225 for receiving a plurality of fasteners (staples) and pushers. A plurality of spaced apart longitudinal slots 230 extend through staple cartridge 220 to accommodate upstanding cam wedges 232 of an actuation sled 234. A central longitudinal slot 282 extends along the length of staple cartridge 220 to facilitate passage of a knife blade 280. During operation of the loading unit 16′, actuation sled 234 translates through longitudinal slots 230 of staple cartridge 220 to advance cam wedges 232 into sequential contact with the pushers that are operably supported in the cartridge 220 to cause the pushers to urge the fasteners into the staple deforming cavities of the anvil assembly 20. A pair of pivot members 211 are formed on anvil portion 204 and are positioned within slots 213 formed in the carrier 216 to guide the anvil portion 204 between the open and tissue-clamping positions.

The articulatable loading unit 16′ further includes a housing portion 200 that comprises an upper housing half 250 and a lower housing half 252. The proximal end of housing half 250 may include engagement nubs 254 for releasably engaging elongated body 14. Nubs 254 form a bayonet type coupling with the distal end of body 14 as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361. As can also be seen in FIG. 6, the axial drive assembly 212 includes an elongated drive beam 266 that has a distal working head and a proximal engagement section 270. Drive beam 266 may be constructed from a single sheet of material or, preferably, from multiple stacked sheets. Engagement section 270 includes a pair of engagement fingers 270 a and 270 b that are dimensioned and configured to mountingly engage a pair of corresponding retention slots 272 a formed in a drive member 272. Drive member 272 includes a proximal port-aperture configured to receive the distal end of control rod when the proximal end of loading unit 16′ is engaged with elongated body 14 of a surgical stapling apparatus as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361.

The distal end of drive beam 266 is defined by a vertical support strut 278 which supports a knife blade 280, and an abutment surface 283 which engages the central portion of actuation sled 234 during a stapling procedure. Surface 285 at the base of surface 283 may be configured to receive a support member 287 that is slidably positioned along the bottom of the carrier 216. Knife blade 280 is generally positioned to translate slightly behind actuation sled 234 through a central longitudinal slot 282 in staple cartridge 220 to form an incision between rows of stapled body tissue. To provide support to the drive beam 266 within the housing portion 200 as the drive beam 266 is advanced axially, a blade stabilizing member 290 is mounted within the housing portion 200. A retention flange 284 projects distally from vertical strut 278 and supports a pair of cylindrical cam rollers 286 at its distal end. Cam rollers 286 are dimensioned and configured to engage camming surface 209 on anvil portion 204 to clamp anvil portion 204 against body tissue.

The articulatable reload unit 16′ includes an articulation joint 340 that includes a mounting assembly 202 that comprises an upper mounting portion 236 and a lower mounting portion 238. A pivot pin 244 is formed on each of the mounting portions 236, 238 and serve to define a pivot axis “A1-A1” which may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis “L-L”of the articulatable loading unit 16′. The mounting assembly 202 is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the housing portion 200 by a pair of coupling members 246. Each of coupling members 246 has an aperture 247 therethrough for receiving a corresponding pin 244 therethrough. The proximal end 248 of each coupling member 246 is configured to be interlockingly received in a corresponding groove 251 formed in the distal end of the upper housing half 250 and the distal end of the lower housing half 252. A pair of springs 207 are provided between the proximal end of the anvil portion 204 and the upper mounting portion 236 to bias the anvil assembly 20 to a normally open position. An articulation link 256 may be provided to articulate the tool assembly 17 about the articulation axis “A1-A1” relative to the housing portion 200 as is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an example of a loading unit 1100 for use with the surgical instrument system 10. The loading unit 1100 is substantially as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0098965 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249921, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. The loading unit 1100 includes a proximal body portion 1102 and a tool assembly 1104.

The loading unit 1100 further includes a drive assembly 1180 that includes a drive member 1182 having a body and a working end 1184. The working end 1184 includes an upper flange 1186 a, a lower flange 1186 b, a vertical strut interconnecting the upper flange 1186 a and the lower flange 1186 b, and a knife 1187 supported on or formed into the vertical strut. The upper flange 1186 a is positioned to be slidably received within the channel 1131 of the anvil assembly 1130 and the lower flange 1186 b is positioned to be slidably positioned along an outer surface 1156 a of the jaw member 1156. In use, distal movement of the drive member 1182 initially advances the upper flange 1186 a into a cam surface formed on the anvil plate 134 and advances the lower flange 1186 b into engagement with a cam surface 1156 b formed on the jaw member 1156 to pivot the cartridge assembly 1150 towards the anvil assembly 1130 to the approximated or closed position. Continued advancement of the drive member 1182 progressively maintains a minimum tissue gap between the anvil assembly 1130 and the cartridge assembly 1150 adjacent the working end 184 of the drive assembly 1180 as the working end 1184 moves through the tool assembly 1104.

Actuation sled 1162 is disposed within cartridge assembly 1150 at a position distal of the working end 1184. When the working end 1184 is in its proximal-most position and the tool assembly 1104 is in the open or unapproximated position, the sled 1162 and the working end 1184 are in their initial position. The sled 1162 includes a plurality of cam surfaces which are positioned to engage and lift the pushers within the staple retention slots the cartridge body of cartridge assembly 1150. The pushers are positioned within the cartridge assembly 1150 to eject the staples from the cartridge body when the sled 1162 is advanced through the tool assembly 1104.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, the loading unit 1100 includes a firing lockout assembly 1221 that includes a latch member 1222 which is pivotally supported on a distal end of a lower mounting portion 1174. The latch member 1222 includes a U-shaped body having a proximal base member 224 and two spaced distally extending legs. The base member 1224 is provided with a blocking member which defines a blocking surface and is welded or secured to the base member 1224 to provide additional support to the base member 1224. Alternatively, the base member 1224 and the blocking member are integrally or monolithically formed. The latch member 1222 is pivotal from a first position (FIG. 9) to a second position (FIG. 10). In the first position shown in FIG. 9, the blocking member 1224 a of the latch member 1222 is aligned with the stop surface 1184 a of the drive member 1182 to prevent advancement of the drive member 1182 within the tool assembly 1104. In the second position shown in FIG. 10, the blocking member 1224 a is misaligned with the stop surface 1184 a of the drive member 1182 to permit advancement of the drive member 1182 within the tool assembly 1104.

Further to the above, insertion of an unfired cartridge assembly 1150 into an elongated channel 1157 of the jaw member 1156 pivots the latch member 1222 to the second position thereby permitting advancement of the drive member 1182 within the tool assembly 1104. A proximal portion of the sled 1162 holds the latch member 1222 in the second position against the biasing force of a biasing member 1230. During firing, when the sled 1162 is advanced distally through the cartridge assembly 1150, the sled 1162 disengages from the latch member 1222, and the biasing member 230 causes the latch member 1222 to return to the first position where the latch member 1222 re-enters a locking engagement with the drive member 182.

Notably, an incidental bumping or shaking of the unfired cartridge assembly 1150 may cause a slight movement of the sled 1162 within the unfired cartridge assembly 1150. Such movement can be problematic as a misaligned sled 1162 cannot deactivate the firing lockout assembly 1221 by causing the latch member 1222 to transition to the second position upon insertion of the unfired cartridge assembly 1150. Consequently, advancement of the drive member 1182 remains hindered even though a new unfired cartridge assembly 1150 is ready for firing.

Further to the above, a properly installed unfired cartridge assembly 1150 can suffer the same fate due to incidental bumping or shaking of the loading unit 1100. The slight movement of the sled 1162 may cause the latch member 1222 to be disengaged from the sled 1162, thereby allowing the latch member 1222 to be returned to the first position by the biasing force of the biasing member 1230. Consequently, the firing lockout assembly 1221 is prematurely reactivated by the incidental bumping or shaking of the loading unit 1100 before an actual firing commences.

In either event, the misalignment of the sled 1162 can be frustrating to a user expecting an apparently properly-installed unfired cartridge assembly 1150 to be fired to deploy staples into a tissue grasped between the anvil assembly 1130 and the cartridge assembly 1500. When the firing inevitably fails, the user is left with no recourse but to release the tissue sacrificing all the time spent to identifying the most suitable tissue bite and aligning the loading unit 1100 therewith for grasping. Moreover, confident in that the cartridge assembly is new and unfired, the user may attempt to replace the loading unit 1100 and/or the surgical instrument system 10, which is costly and will not be a successful remedy if the user installs the cartridge assembly 1150 was the misaligned sled 1162 into the new loading unit 1100.

The present disclosure provides various solutions that maintain a sled 1162 in a proper position for an unfired cartridge assembly 1150. Additionally, or alternatively, the present disclosure provides various mechanisms for detecting an incidental movement of the sled 1162 from its proper position. The present disclosure further provides various mechanisms actively returning the sled 1162 to its proper position.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, a loading unit 1200 is similar in many respects to the loading unit 1100. For example, the loading unit 1200 includes the proximal body portion 1102 (FIG. 8) and a tool assembly 1204 that includes an end effector with a jaw 1236 including an anvil assembly 1230 and a jaw 1256 including a staple cartridge assembly 1250. At least one of the jaws 1236, 1256 is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue between the anvil assembly 1230 and the staple cartridge assembly 1250.

Furthermore, the staple cartridge assembly 1250 includes an elongated channel 1257 dimensioned and designed to receive and releasably retain a staple cartridge 1220 similar in many respects to other staple cartridges described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridge 220. Staples are deployed from the staple cartridge 1220 through a cartridge deck 1255 into the tissue via staple drivers motivated by the sled 1262 in a similar manner to that described in connection loading units 16, 16′, 1100 of FIGS. 1-8. The staples and the staple drivers are stored in a cartridge body 1259 of the staple cartridge 1220.

A cartridge pan 1258 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 1259 to prevent the staple drivers from falling out of the cartridge body 1259. The cartridge pan 1258 includes a pan slot 1254 that is aligned with a cartridge slot defined in the cartridge deck 1255. The pan slot 1254 is also aligned with a channel slot 1253 defined in a base portion 1252 of the elongated channel 1257. During firing, the working end 1184 of the drive member 1182 (FIG. 9) slidably moves through the cartridge slot, the pan slot 1254, and the channel slot 1253 distally advancing the sled 1262 from a first position toward a second position within the cartridge body to cause the staple drivers to deploy the staples through the cartridge deck 1255.

Furthermore, the loading unit 1200 includes the firing lockout assembly 1221 configured to prevent advancement of the drive member 1182 in the absence of an unfired staple cartridge 1220 with a properly positioned sled 1262. To resist a movement of the sled 1262 due to an incidental bumping or shaking of the staple cartridge 1220, the base portion 1252 includes one or more retaining features (e.g., retaining features 1270 a, 1270 b) configured to matingly engage the sled 1262 and resist a movement of the sled 1262 up to a predetermined force.

In certain instances, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the sled 1262 includes one or more apertures, bores, grooves, or detents (e.g., detents 1272 a, 1272 b) defined in a sled base 1263. The detents 1272 a, 1272 b are aligned with and configured to receive the retaining features 1270 a, 1270 b when the sled 1262 is located at the first position. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the retaining features 1270 a, 1270 b extend through corresponding apertures or cutouts 1274 a, 1274 b in the cartridge pan 1258 when the staple cartridge 1220 is properly seated in the elongated channel 1257.

In the illustrated example, when the sled 1262 is at the first position, the retaining feature 1270 a, the detent 1272 a, and the cutout 1274 a reside on a first side of a plane longitudinally bisecting the staple cartridge 1220 and extending longitudinally along the cartridge slot, the pan slot 1254, and the channel slot 1253. The retaining feature 1270 b, the detent 1272 b, and the cutout 1274 b reside on a second side of a plane opposite the first side.

In various examples, the retaining features 1270 a, 1270 b are in the form of bumps or protrusions extending upwardly from the base portion 1252. The retaining features 1270 a, 1270 b may define ramps and/or curved profiles comprise with radii of curvatures dimensioned to resist advancement of the sled 1262 when a driving force applied by the drive member 1182 to the sled 1262 is less than or equal to a predetermined force.

In various aspects, a retaining feature may comprise a triangular prism shape, a partial ellipsoid shape, a partial spherical shape, a partial cylindrical shape, or a truncated pyramid shape. Other shapes are also contemplated by the present disclosure. In various aspects, a retaining feature height may be less than, or equal to, than a depth a corresponding detent of a sled to ensure that the sled is not lifted by the retaining feature when assembled therewith. In various aspects, the number of retaining features can be more or less than two. In one example, a single retaining feature can be employed with corresponding detent and cutout. In another example, three or more retaining features can be employed with corresponding detents and cutouts. In certain examples, dedicated cutouts are replaced with a single cutout that accommodates the passing of multiple retaining features therethrough.

When the driving force applied by the drive member 1182 exceeds the predetermined force, the sled 1262 moves out of alignment with the retaining features 1270 a, 1270 b toward the second position. After the sled 1262 reaches the second position, the drive member 1182 is retracted to a starting position where the firing lockout assembly 1221 is reactivated to prevent re-advancement of the drive member 1182 until an unfired staple cartridge 1220 is assembled with the elongated channel such that a sled 1262 is properly located at the first position. A proximal portion of the sled 1262 engages the latch member 1222 deactivating the firing lockout assembly 1221.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a retaining feature 1270 a of the unfired staple cartridge 1220 properly seated in the elongated channel 1257. The detent 1272 a of the sled 1262 of the unfired staple cartridge 1220 is properly aligned to receive the retaining feature 1270 a through the cutout 1274 a at a first position, which yields an unlocked configuration of the firing lockout assembly 1221. The retaining feature 1270 a includes a base portion 1277 protruding from the elongated channel 1257 and extending into the cutout 1274 a, and a head portion 1279 protruding from the based portion and extending into the detent 1272 a of the sled 1262. The head portion 1279, but not the base portion 1277, extend through the cutout 1274 a beyond the cartridge pan 1258 and into the detent 1272 a.

The base portion 1277 ensures proper alignment of the staple cartridge 1220 with the elongated channel 1257, and the head portion 1279 ensures that the sled 1262 remains at the first position until a driving force greater than a predetermined driving force is applied thereto. In the illustrated example, the base portion 1277 has a rectangular, or at least substantially rectangular, cross-section. In certain instances, the head portion 1279 has a curved profile that defines a ramp resists advancement of the sled 1262 at or below a predetermined force defined by a radius of curvature of the head portion 1279.

Furthermore, the head portion 1277 is slightly smaller in size than the detent 1272 a to permit slight movements of the sled relative to the head portion 1279 without an unintended transition in the firing lockout assembly from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration. In the illustrated example, the detent 1272 a has a length d₂ greater than a length d₁ of the head portion 1279 by a distance Δd (difference between d₁ and d₂). As such, the sled is slidably movable relative to the cartridge pan 1258 a distance Δd without compromising the mating engagement between the head portion 1279 and the detent 1272 a.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a staple cartridge 1220′ similar in many respects to the staple cartridges 220, 1220. For example, the staple cartridge 1220′ includes the sled 1262 with the detents 1272 a. However, unlike the staple cartridge 1220, a cartridge pan 1258′ of the staple cartridge 1220′ does not include cutouts to accommodate retaining features of an elongated channel. Instead, the cartridge pan 1258′ includes retaining features 1270 a′ and 1270 b′ protruding from the cartridge pan 1258′. The retaining features 1270 a′ and 1270 b′ are similar in many respects to the retaining features 1270 a, 1270 b. For example, the retaining features 1270 a′ and 1270 b′ are configured to matingly engage the detents 1272 a, 1272 b of the sled 1262 to maintain the sled 1262 at the first position corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the firing lockout assembly 1221 (FIG. 9).

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the retaining features 1270 a′, 1270 b′ are on opposite sides of the pan slot 1254. The retaining features 1270 a′ 1270 b′ are defined in a base portion of the cartridge pan 1258′ adjacent side walls 1273 a, 1273 b. In the illustrated examples, the retaining features 1270 a′ 1270 b′ are aligned across the pan slot 1254. In other examples, the retaining features 1270 a′ 1270 b′ can be offset.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative staple cartridge 1220″ similar in many respects to other staple cartridges described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridges 220. 1220. 1220′. Staples are deployed from the staple cartridge 1220″ through a cartridge deck into tissue via staple drivers motivated by a sled 1162 in a similar manner to that described in connection loading units 16, 16′, 1100 of FIGS. 1-8. The drive member 1182 is configured to deploy the staples from a cartridge body through the cartridge deck by slidably advancing the sled 1162 distally from a first position toward the second position relative to the cartridge pan 1258″. The staple cartridge 1220″ includes retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″ defined in a base portion 1252″ of a cartridge pan 1258″ on opposite sides of a pan slot 1254.

The staple cartridge 1220″ differs from the staple cartridge 1220′ in that the retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″ are in the form of tabs that are bent away from the base portion 1252″. The retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″ define collapsible ramps that are configured to resist a movement of the sled 1162 beyond the first position thereby maintaining the firing lockout assembly 1221 (FIG. 9) in the unlocked configuration while the sled 1162 is at the first position.

In the illustrated example, the sled 1162 can be slidably moved slightly from the first position before engaging the retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″. The permissible movement is insufficient to disengage the sled 1162 from the latch member 1222 and, accordingly, is insufficient to prematurely transition the firing lockout assembly 1221 to the locked configuration. As a distal portion of the sled 1162 engages the retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″, an additional advancement of the sled 1162 is resisted by the retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″.

When a drive force exerted by the drive member 1182 on the sled 1162 exceeds the predetermined driving force, the sled 1162 is advanced over the retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″. In certain instances, the retaining features 1270 a″, 1270 b″ are collapsed under the sled 1162 when the drive force exerted by the drive member 1182 on the sled 1162 exceeds the predetermined driving force.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a staple cartridge 1320 similar in many respects to other staple cartridges described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridges 220. 1220. 1220′. Staples are deployed from the staple cartridge 1320 through a cartridge deck 1355 into the tissue via staple drivers motivated by a sled 1362 in a similar manner to that described in connection loading units 16, 16′, 1100 of FIGS. 1-8. The staples and the staple drivers are stored in a cartridge body 1359 of the staple cartridge 1320.

Further to the above, the sled 1362 of an unfired staple cartridge 1320 is maintained at a default first position using retaining features 1370 a, 1370 b defined in proximal portions of sidewalls of the cartridge pan 1358. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, retaining features 1370 a, 1370 b are in the form of leaf springs projecting inward. The leaf springs can be stamped or formed in the sidewalls of the cartridge pan 1358. The retaining feature 1370 a includes a base attached to, and protruding from, a sidewall of the cartridge pan 1358. An apex portion extends from the base, and is dimensioned to pass through cutouts (e.g., cutout 1374 a) defined in the cartridge body 1359, and into the detents defined in sidewalls of the sled 1362 (e.g., detent 1372 a). The retaining feature 1370 a defines a ramp that resists a distal advancement of the sled 1362 up to a predetermined driving force.

FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative staple cartridge assembly 1450 similar in many respects to the cartridge assembly 1250. For example, like the staple cartridge assembly 1250, the staple cartridge assembly 1450 includes a staple cartridge 1420 that includes a sled 1462 configured to deploy staples from a cartridge body through a cartridge deck by slidably advancing the sled 1462 distally from a first position toward the second position relative to the cartridge pan 1458. When an unfired staple cartridge 1420 is properly assembled with an elongated channel 1457 of a loading unit, a firing lockout assembly 1221 is transitioned into an unlocked configuration to permit advancement of a drive member 1182 distally to motivate the sled 1462 to deploy the staples.

The staple cartridge assembly 1450 differs from the staple cartridge assembly 1250 in that the elongated channel 1457 includes retaining features 1470 a, 1470 b in the form of grooves, bores, apertures, or detents. The retaining features 1470 a, 1470 b are configured to receive sled protrusions 1472 a, 1472 b through cutouts 1474 a, 1474 b defined in the base portion of the cartridge pan 1458. The retaining features 1470 a, 1470 b are configured to resist a movement of the sled 1462 up to a predetermined force. When the driving force of the drive member 1182 is greater than the predetermined force, the sled 1462 is advanced distally beyond the first position causing the sled protrusions 1472 a, 1472 b to exit the retaining features 1470 a, 1470 b.

FIGS. 20-21 illustrate an alternative staple cartridge assembly 1550 similar in many respects to the cartridge assemblies 1250, 1450. The staple cartridge assembly 1550 includes a staple cartridge 1520 similar in many respects to other staple cartridges described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridges 220, 1220, 1220′, 1220″, 1420. Staples are deployed from the staple cartridge 1520 through a cartridge deck 1555 into tissue via staple drivers motivated by a sled 1562 in a similar manner to that described in connection loading units 16, 16′, 1100 of FIGS. 1-8. The drive member 1182 is configured to deploy the staples from a cartridge body through the cartridge deck 1555 by slidably advancing the sled 1562 distally from a first position toward the second position relative to a cartridge pan 1558.

The staple cartridge 1520 includes one or more retaining features (e.g., retaining features 1570 a, 1570 b) that are configured to resist a distal advancement of the sled 1562 until the staple cartridge 1520 is fully seated, or assembled, with an elongated channel 1557 of a loading unit. In the illustrated example, a retaining feature 1570 b is in the form of a collapsible leaf spring defined in a cartridge pan 1558 by bending an existing pan sheet metal. In the illustrated example, the retaining feature 1570 b comprises a first portion bent towards the cartridge deck 1555 and a second portion bent away from the cartridge deck 1555. A curved portion extends between, and connects, the first portion and the second portion. In the illustrated example, the second portion is slightly longer than the first portion.

Insertion of the staple cartridge 1520 into the elongated channel 1557, as illustrated in FIG. 21, causes the retaining features 1570 a, 1570 b to be collapsed, or flattened, against the elongated channel 1557, which allows the sled 1562 to be moved distally by the drive member 1182. The retaining features 1570 a, 1570 b resist an advancement of the sled 1562 until their collapse by the insertion of the staple cartridge 1520 into the elongated channel 1557. In other words, the retaining features 1570 a, 1570 b are configured to maintain the sled 1562 at the first position until the staple cartridge 1520 is inserted into the elongated channel 1557. In doing so, the retaining features 1570 a, 1570 b ensure that the sled 1562 transitions the firing lockout assembly 1221 to the unlocked configuration to allow advancement of the drive member 1182.

FIGS. 22-24 depict an alternative staple cartridge 1620 with a retaining feature 1670 similar in many respects to the staple cartridge 1520 and its retaining features 1570 a, 1570 b. For example, the retaining feature 1670 is also in the form of a collapsible leaf spring defined in a cartridge pan 1658 by bending an existing pan sheet metal. However, unlike the retaining features 1570 a, 1570 b, the retaining feature 1670 is not collapsed, or flattened, by the insertion of the staple cartridge 1620 into an elongated channel of a loading unit. Instead, a sled 1662 of the staple cartridge 1620 includes a groove, aperture, bore, or detent 1672 configured to receive the retaining feature 1670, as illustrated in FIG. 22.

Like other collapsible retaining features described elsewhere herein, the retaining feature 1670 is configured to maintain the sled 1662 at a first position thereby ensuring an unlocked configuration of the firing lockout assembly 1221 by a sustained engagement between the latch member 1222 and the sled 1662. When a drive force exerted by the drive member 1182 against the sled 1662 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the retaining feature 1670 collapses out of the detent 1672 permitting further advancement of the sled 1662.

In the illustrated example, the retaining feature 1670 includes a first portion 1671, a second portion 1673, and an intermediate bent portion 1675 extending between, and connecting, the portions 1671, 1673. The portion 1671 includes an aperture 1679. During assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 24, a hook member 1681 engages the portion 1671 at the aperture 1679 to temporarily pull the retaining feature 1670 back to permit the sled 1662 to be slidably moved to the first position. The hook member 1681 then releases the portion 1671, which allows the retaining feature 1670 to be received in the detent 1672.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-28, a staple cartridge assembly 1750 is similar in many respects other staple cartridge assemblies described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridge assembly 1250. For example, the staple cartridge assembly 1750 includes an elongated channel 1757 dimensioned and designed to receive and releasably retain a staple cartridge 1720 similar in many respects to other staple cartridges described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridge 220. 1220. Staples are deployed from the staple cartridge 1720 through a cartridge deck into tissue via staple drivers motivated by the sled 1762 in a similar manner to that described in connection loading units 16, 16′, 1100 of FIGS. 1-8. The staples and the staple drivers are stored in a cartridge body of the staple cartridge 1720. During firing, the working end of the drive member 1182 distally advances the sled 1762 from a first position toward a second position within the cartridge body to cause the staple drivers to deploy the staples.

Like the staple cartridge assembly 1250, the staple cartridge assembly 1750 includes a retaining feature 1770 disposed in the elongated channel 1757. In the illustrated example, the retaining feature 1770 is in the form of a leaf spring flattened, or at least partially flattened, in a biased configuration by a hard stop that includes hard stop portions 1771 a, 1771 b that are defined in opposing side walls 1757 a, 1757 b of the elongated channel 1757. When an unfired staple cartridge 1720 is properly assembled with the elongated channel 1757, the sled 1762 presses the hard stop portions 1771 a, 1771 b into the opposing side walls 1757 a, 1757 b, respectively, thereby allowing the retaining feature 1770 to be released from the hard stop portions 1771 a, 1771 b.

A distal portion of the retaining feature 1770 then engages a corresponding detent 1772 in the sled 1762 pulling and maintaining the sled 1762 at a first position corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the lockout firing assembly 1221. In the illustrated example, the engagement between the retaining feature 1770 and that the detent 1772 permits a slight movement of the sled 1762 within a predefined threshold distance “d” without transitioning the firing lockout assembly 1221 to the locked configuration.

As described in greater detail was other retaining features of the present disclosure, the retaining feature 1770 is configured to resist an advancement of the sled 1762 up to a predetermined force. When the driving force of the drive member 1182 is greater than the predetermined force, the sled 1762 is released from the retaining feature 1770, and is advanced distally beyond the first position. The advancement of the sled 1762 over the retaining feature 1770 resets the retaining feature 1770 into a locking engagement with the hard stop portions 1771 a, 1771 b.

The retaining feature 1770 is then maintained in a flattened, or at least partially flattened, configuration by the hard stop portions 1771 a, 1771 b until another unfired staple cartridge 1720 is inserted into the elongated channel 1757. In the illustrated example, maintaining the retaining feature 1770 in a flattened, or at least partially flattened, the configuration reduces drag on the drive member 1182 during the remainder of the firing.

In the illustrated example, the sled 1762 include one or more features 1773 designed and dimensioned to engage and depress the hard stop portions 1771 a, 1771 b into the opposing side walls 1757 a, 1757 b. The hard stop portions 1771 a, 1771 b can be spring biased such that they return to a locking engagement with the retaining feature 1770 after disengaging from the one or more features 1773.

In various aspects, one or more of the sled positioning and/or retaining mechanisms described in the present disclosure can be combined position and/or maintain the sled in a staple cartridge prior to and after insertion of the staple cartridge into an elongated channel of the loading unit. For example, a first positioning and/or retaining mechanism can be employed to maintain the sled at a first position within the staple cartridge prior to insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel. Then, second positioning and/or retaining mechanism can be employed to maintain the sled at the first position within the staple cartridge after the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 25-28, the one or more features 1773 can be received in corresponding apertures or cutouts of a cartridge pan, as described in connection with the loading unit 1200 of FIGS. 11-13. The features 1773 maintain the sled at the first position within the staple cartridge 1720 prior to insertion of the staple cartridge 1720 into the elongated channel 1757. After the insertion, however, the sled 1762 is maintained at the first position by the retaining feature 1770. Accordingly, a staple cartridge assembly (e.g., staple cartridge assembly 1750) can be configured to maintain the sled at the first position differently before insertion than after insertion into an elongated channel. In other words, the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel may cause an active retaining feature to deactivated, and cause an inactive retaining feature to be activated.

Referring to FIGS. 29-30, a staple cartridge 1820 is similar respects to other staple cartridges described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridge 220. For example, like the staple cartridge 220, the staple cartridge 1820 includes the knife blade 280 (FIG. 5). A central longitudinal slot 1882 is defined in staple cartridge 220 along a central longitudinal plane 1884. The knife blade 280 is generally positioned to translate slightly behind a sled 1860 through the central longitudinal slot 1882 in the staple cartridge 1820 to form an incision between rows of stapled body tissue.

In various aspects, the sled 1860 is maintained at a first, or home, position by a retaining feature 1855 extending across the central longitudinal slot 1882. In the illustrated example, the retaining feature 1855 includes a weakened central portion 1885 c extending between portions 1885 a, 1885 b that defined hinging gates attached at one end thereof to sidewalls 1882 a, 1882 b, respectively. In the illustrated example, the central portion 1885 c includes a perforated breakable body. In other examples, the central portion 1885 c may comprise a smaller thickness than the portions 1885 a, 1885 b.

In any event, the central portion 1885 c is designed and dimensioned to resist an advancement of the sled 1860 up to a predetermined driving force threshold. Beyond the threshold, the knife blade 280 applies a force to the sled 1860 that breaks through the central portion 1885 c causing the portions 1885 a, 1885 b to fold or swing open allowing the sled 1860 move distally beyond the first, or home, position.

As described in greater detail elsewhere herein, an incidental bumping or shaking of the unfired staple cartridge may cause an unintended movement of the sled within the unfired staple cartridge. FIG. 31 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process 1920 depicting a control program or a logic configuration for detecting 1922 the location of a sled of a powered surgical stapling instrument along a firing path thereof, and adjusting 1924 one or more motor settings, or motor control programs, of the powered surgical stapling instrument based on the location of the sled along the firing path.

FIGS. 32-34 illustrate a powered surgical stapling instrument 1901 that includes a firing system 1902 configured to detect the location of a sled along a firing path thereof, and adjust one or more motor settings, or motor control programs, based on the location of the sled along the firing path, in accordance with the process 1920. The firing system 1902 includes a control circuit 1930 configured to perform the process 1920. In the illustrated example, the control circuit 1930 comprises a controller 1932 that includes a processor 1934 and a memory 1936 storing program instructions, which when executed by the processor 1934, causes the processor 1934 to perform one or more aspects of the process 1920.

The surgical stapling instrument 1901 further includes a loading unit 1900 similar in many respects to other loading units described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the loading units 1100, 1200. For example, like the loading unit 1100, the loading unit 1900 includes a drive assembly 1980 that includes a drive member 1982. A motor assembly 1904 includes a motor configured to move the drive member 1982 along a predefined firing path to advance a sled 1962 distally to deploy staples 1908 from a staple cartridge 1921 into tissue grasped between the staple cartridge 1921 and an anvil assembly 1931. The sled 1962 includes a plurality of cam surfaces which are positioned to engage and lift the pushers within the staple retention slots of the cartridge body of staple cartridge 1921. The pushers are positioned within the staple cartridge 1921 to eject the staples 1908 from the cartridge body when the sled 1962 is advanced by the drive member 1982, as illustrated in FIGS. 33, 34.

FIG. 35 is a graph 1940 illustrating, on the x-axis, the distance (δ) traveled by the drive member 1982 along the firing path from a starting position, and on the y-axis, the firing speed (V) and corresponding electrical load of the motor during a firing stroke of the powered surgical stapling instrument 1901 (FIG. 32), which are represented by lines 1942′, 1944′, 1946′, 1948′, 1950′, 1952′, and lines 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952, respectively. A segment Δδ_(SC) along the firing path defines acceptable initial sled-contact locations, where the drive member 1982 is configured to first engage (See FIG. 33) the sled 1962 during advancement of the drive member 1982 along the firing path. In addition, a segment Δδ_(IS) along the firing path defines acceptable initial staple-contact locations, where the sled 1962, driven by the drive member 1982, is configured to first engage (See FIG. 33) the pushers of the staples 1908 within the staple cartridge 1921.

In a successful firing, as illustrated by lines 1942, 1944, the drive member 1982 is configured to initially contact (1M, 2M) the sled 1982 within the segment Δδ_(SC), and the sled 1962, driven by the drive member 1982, is configured to initially contact (1M′, 2M′) the pushers of the staples 1908 within the segment Δδ_(IS).

In various aspects, a rapid increase, or a step-up, in the electric load of the motor to a value (F_(S1), FIG. 33) within a predetermined range (F-sled_(min) to F-sled_(max)) indicates that an initial contact between the drive member 1982 and the sled 1962 is detected. In various aspects, the control circuit 1930 detects the location of the sled 1962 by monitoring at least one parameter indicative of the electric load of the motor such as, for example, the current draw of the motor.

Likewise, a rapid increase, or a step-up, in the electric load of the motor to a value (F_(S2), FIG. 33) within a predetermined range (F-staple_(min) to F-staple_(max)), which is greater than the predetermined range (F-sled_(min) to F-sled_(max)), indicates that an initial contact between the sled 1962, driven by the drive member 1982, and the pushers of the staples 1908 is detected. In various aspects, the control circuit 1930 detects the initial contact between the sled 1962 and the staple pushers by monitoring at least one parameter indicative of the electric load of the motor such as, for example, the current draw of the motor.

If the rapid increase in the electric load of the motor is detected within the segment Δδ_(SC), the control circuit 1930 permits the drive member 1982 to continue advancing the sled 1962 along the firing path at a speed less than or equal to a predetermined maximum speed (V-sled_(max)) until the sled 1982 engages the pushers of the staple cartridge 1921, which is characterized by another rapid increase in the electric load of the motor to a value (F_(S2), FIG. 33), as discussed above. The detection of the initial contact between the sled 1962 and the staple pusher causes control circuit 1930 to ramp up (1R, 2R) the speed of the of the drive member 1982 to a speed greater than a predetermined minimum speed (V-firing_(min)) and less than or equal to a predetermined maximum speed (V-firing_(max)).

If, however, the control circuit 1930 fails (4M) to detect the location of the sled 1962 within the segment Δδ_(SC), as illustrated by line 1950, the control circuit 1930 may cause the drive member 1982 to stop (4R) by causing the motor assembly 1904 to stop the motor, for example. The control circuit 1930 may further prompt a user through a user interface 1909 to replace the staple cartridge, as the absence of the sled 1962 can be due to an attachment of a previously fired staple cartridge to the cartridge channel of the loading unit 1900, or the absence of a staple cartridge. If the user approves, the drive member 1982 is returned (b) to the starting position. If, however, the user is confident that an unfired staple cartridge has been attached to the cartridge channel, the sled 1962 may have been moved or misaligned due to an incidental bumping of the staple cartridge.

To resolve the issue, the control circuit 1930 prompts the user for permission to continue (a) advancing the drive member 1982 until a predetermined maximum threshold value δ_(max) of travel without sled detection is reached (5M, 5R). If the sled 1962 is not detected, and the predetermined maximum threshold value δ_(max) has been reached, the control circuit 1930 causes the drive member to be returned to its starting position (5R′).

If, however, the sled 1962 is detected (6M, 6R) prior to reaching the predetermined threshold value δ_(max), the control circuit 1930 may permit an additional advancement (6R′) of the drive member 1982 in a predetermined segment Δδ_(SL) to couple the drive assembly 1980 to the sled 1962, as described in greater detail below. The predetermined segment Δδ_(SL) defines a functional window of sled travel for ensuring that a coupling between the drive member 1982 and the sled 1962 has occurred.

The control circuit 1980 then causes the motor to retract the drive member 1980 to its starting position, which causes the sled 1962 to return to its home position (6R″) within the unfired staple cartridge. The control circuit 1930 may further prompt the user to push down any staples 1908 incidentally lifted above the cartridge deck by the inadvertent advancement of the sled 1962. Once the sled is returned to the home position, the control circuit 1930 may prompt the user to reinitiate (c) the firing stroke.

Further to the above, a successful detection (1M) of the sled 1962 within the segment Δδ_(SC), accompanied by a failure (3M′) to detect an initial contact between the sled 1962 and the staple pushers within the segment Δδ_(IS), causes the control circuit 1930 to stop (3R) the advancement of the drive member 1982 at, or about, the end of segment Δδ_(IS). The control circuit 1930 may further cause the drive member 1982 to return to the starting position.

Although the process 1920 is described as being executed by a control circuit 1930, this is merely for brevity, and it should be understood that the process 1920, and other processes described elsewhere herein, can be executed by circuitry that can include a variety of hardware and/or software components and may be located in or associated with various suitable systems described by the present disclosure such as, for example, the combinational logic circuit or the sequential logic circuit.

In various forms, the motor of the motor assembly 1904 may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In other arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor may be powered by a power source 1910 that, in one form, may comprise a removable power pack. The power source 1910 may comprise, for example, anyone of the various power source arrangements disclosed in further detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575 and entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

In at least one example, the surgical stapling instrument 1901 is implemented as a hand-held surgical instrument similar in many respects to the surgical instrument system 10 of FIG. 1. In another example, the surgical stapling instrument 1901 is implemented as a robotic surgical stapling instrument similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In various examples, the surgical instrument 1901 includes sensors 1938 that comprise one or more sensors configured to monitor a parameter indicative of the position of the drive member 1982 along the firing path. The sensors 1938 may further include one or more sensors configured to monitor the current draw of the motor. Readings sensors 1938 can aid the control circuit 1930 detect the presence of the drive member 1982 is in the segment Δδ_(SC) or the segment Δδ_(IS), detect an initial contact between the drive member 1982 and the sled 1962, and/or detect an initial contact between the sled 1962, driven by the drive member 1982, and the pushers of the staples 1908, for example.

In various aspects, the sensors 1938 may include various other sensors such as, for example, a magnetic sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, an inductive sensor, such as an eddy current sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor to perform one or more aspects of the process 1920, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 36-38, a staple cartridge 2020 includes a retaining feature 2072 configured to maintain a sled 2062 within the staple cartridge 2020 at a home, or start, position. The staple cartridge 2020 is similar in many respects to other staple cartridges disclosed elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridges 1520, 1620. To resist a movement of the sled 2062 due to an incidental bumping or shaking of the staple cartridge 2020, a cartridge pan 2058 of the staple cartridge 2020 includes one or more retaining features (e.g., retaining features 2020) configured to matingly engage the sled 2062 and resist a movement of the sled 2062 up to a predetermined force.

In the illustrated example, the retaining feature 2072 is in the form of a leaf spring projecting, or bent, inward. The leaf spring can be stamped or formed in a base proximal portion of the cartridge pan 2058. The retaining feature 2072 includes a base attached to, and protruding from, the base portion of the cartridge pan 2058. An apex portion extends from the base, and is dimensioned to pass through cutouts (e.g., cutout 2022) defined in the cartridge pan 2058, and into the detents defined in sidewalls of the sled 2062 (e.g., detent 2063). The retaining feature 2072 defines a ramp that resists a distal advancement of the sled 2062 up to a predetermined driving force. The retaining feature 2072 is flattened by the advancement of the sled 2072 when a drive member (e.g., drive member 1982) exerts a driving force on the sled 2072 greater than the predetermined driving force.

The staple cartridge 2020 includes a sled detection circuit 2073 configured to determine whether the sled 2062 is outside the home, or starting, position. The sled detection circuit 2073 includes the retaining feature 2072 and a wire, or rod, 2071 extending from a distal portion 2075 of the retaining feature 2072 through a groove 2077 defined in a proximal portion 2078 of the retaining feature 2072. The wire 2071 terminates in an electrical contact 2079 such as for example a pogo pin. The electrical contact 2079 is configured to transition the sled detection circuit 2073 between a closed configuration while the retaining feature 2072 is bent as illustrated in FIG. 36, and an open configuration while the retaining feature 2072 is flattened by the sled 2062, as illustrated in FIG. 37.

Accordingly, a control circuit such as, for example, the control circuit 1930 of the surgical instrument 1901 may employ the sled detection circuit 2073 to determine whether the sled 2062 is outside the home, or starting, position by detecting whether or not the sled detection circuit 2073 has transitioned from the closed configuration to the open configuration. A switch of the sled detection circuit 2073 from the closed configuration to an open configuration signals the control circuit 1930 that the sled 2062 has been distally advanced beyond the home, or starting, position. Further, a return of the sled detection circuit 2073 to the closed configuration signals the control circuit 1930 that the sled detection circuit 2073 has been returned to the home, or starting, position.

Referring now to FIG. 39, a staple cartridge assembly 2150 can be used with a loading unit such as, for example, the loading units 1100, 1200. In the illustrated example, the staple cartridge assembly 2150 includes an elongated channel 2157 dimensioned and designed to receive and releasably retain a staple cartridge 2120 similar in many respects to other staple cartridges described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridge 220. For example, staples also are deployed from the staple cartridge 2120 through a cartridge deck into tissue via staple drivers, or pushers, motivated by a sled 2162 in a similar manner to that described in connection loading units 16, 16′, 1100 of FIGS. 1-8. The staples and the staple drivers are stored in a cartridge body of the staple cartridge 2120.

A cartridge pan 2158 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body to prevent the staple drivers from falling out of the staple cartridge 2120. The cartridge pan 2158 includes a pan slot 2154 that is aligned with a cartridge slot defined in the cartridge deck. The pan slot 2154 is also aligned with a channel slot 2153 defined in a base portion 2152 of the elongated channel 2157. During firing, the working end 1184 of the drive member 1182 slidably moves through the cartridge slot, the pan slot 2154, and the channel slot 2153 distally advancing the sled 2162 from a first position toward a second position within the cartridge body to cause the staple drivers to deploy the staples through the cartridge deck.

As described above in greater detail, a sled such as, for example, the sled 2162 can move from its home, or starting position, due to an incidental bumping or shaking of the staple cartridge 2120. To detect such movement, the staple cartridge assembly 2150 includes a sled detection circuit 2160 configured to detect configured to detect the location of the sled 2162 as the home, or starting position and additional locations distal to the home, or starting position through a series of spaced apart electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b on opposite sides of the channel slot 2153. When corresponding electrical contacts 2172 a, 2172 b of the sled are positioned against a pair of the electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b, the sled detection circuit 2160 is transitioned into the closed configuration, and a signal unique to such location, as illustrated in FIG. 41, is transmitted to a control circuit such as, for example, the control circuit 1930.

The control circuit 1930 can determine the position of the sled 2162 based on the received signal. For example, the memory 1936 may store an algorithm, an equation, or a look-up table for determining the position of the sled based on one or more parameters of the received signals. The processor 1934 may employ such algorithm, equation, and/or look-up table to determine the position of the sled based on readings of the one or more parameters. In one example, the readings are current or voltage readings indicative of the position of the sled 2162.

In at least one example, the sensors 1938 include a current sensor configured to measure the current passing through the sled detection circuit 2160 in the closed configuration. For a given voltage, the measured current value will change depending on the resistance. FIG. 41 illustrates example resistances associated with different positions of the sled 2162 along the firing path. Each position is designed to yield a unique resistance and, as such, a unique current value associated with the position. Accordingly, the current readings of the current sensor can aid a control circuit (e.g., control circuit 1930) in determining whether the sled 2162 is in the home, or starting, position or in other more distal positions.

As illustrated in FIG. 40, an inherent baseline resistance exists in the sled detection circuit 2160 leading back to the control circuit 1930. Each time the sled 2162 completes the sled detection circuit 2160, additional resistance inherent to the lines in the channel will increase the total resistance and, as such, yielding unique current readings per each position along the firing path. In various aspects, intentionally high-resistance circuit material and/or actual resistors may be used at each contact-point.

In the illustrated examples, the electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b are raised above the base portion 2152 of the elongated channel 2157, and define biasing members configured to ensure a good connection with the staple cartridge 2120. The electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b extend through cutouts 2174 a, 2174 b defined in the base portion 2159 of the cartridge pan 2158. In various aspects, the cartridge pan 2158 is coated with a thin film electrical insulator to prevent shorting. Similarly, the internal surface of the base portion 2152 can be coated with a thin film electrical insulator to prevent shorting. The electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b extend through the electrical insulator film of the cartridge pan 2158.

In various aspects, signals from the sled detection circuit 2160 indicate the completion of a firing stroke. Electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b can be positioned at, or about, the end of the firing path. In the illustrated examples, electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b are position at, or about, a distance 60 mm from the home, or starting, position. When the sled 2162 reaches the end of the firing stroke, the electrical contacts 2172 a, 2172 b engage the electrical contacts 2170 a, 2170 b transitioning the sled detection circuit 2160 to a closed configuration, and yielding a unique signal indicative of the completion of the firing stroke.

In the illustrated example, the sled 2162 is insulated except for a conductive portion 2161 that defines the electrical contacts 2172 a, 2172 b. In other examples, however, the entire sled 2162 can be comprised of a conductive material. In such instances, the whole sled 2162 becomes part of the sled detection circuit 2160.

Referring now to FIG. 41, a staple cartridge 2220 is depicted. The staple cartridge 2220 is similar in many respects to other staple cartridges disclosed elsewhere herein such as, for example, the staple cartridges 1220′, 1220″, 1320, 1620. For example, the staple cartridge 2220 includes a retaining feature 2270 configured to resist incidental movements of a sled to 2262 within the staple cartridge 2220 due to, for example, an incidental bumping of the staple cartridge 2220.

In addition, the staple cartridge 2220 is further equipped with a sled reset circuit 2264 configured to retract the sled 2262 to a home, or starting, position 2267. In the illustrated example, the sled 2262 includes one or more apertures, bores, grooves, or detents (e.g., detent 2272) defined in a sled base 2263. The detent 2272 is aligned with and configured to receive the retaining feature 2270. A driving force greater than a predetermined threshold is needed to separate the retaining feature 2270 from the sled 2262. Accordingly, the retaining feature 2270 is configured to resist an advancement of the sled 2262 up to the predetermined threshold.

Furthermore, the retaining feature 2270 rides in a channel 2266 defined in a cartridge pan 2258 of the staple cartridge 2220. A proximal wall 2266 a of the channel 2266 defines a proximal stopping position for the retaining feature 2270, which corresponds to the home, or starting, position 2267 of the sled 2262. A distal wall 2266 b of the channel 2266 defines a distal stopping position of the retaining feature 2270 within the channel 2266. Since the retaining feature 2270 is not permitted to move beyond the distal wall 2266 b, an additional movement of the sled 2262 forces the sled 2262 to decouple from the retaining feature 2270.

Further to the above, the channel 2266 permits incidental movements of the sled 2262 and the retaining feature 2270 without decoupling the sled 2262 from the retaining feature 2270 within a predetermined range defined by the length of the channel 2266, or the distance between the proximal wall 2266 a and the distal wall 2266 b. Prior to firing however the sled reset circuit 2264 is activated to retract the retaining feature 2270 to abut against the proximal wall 2266 a. The retraction of the retaining feature 2270 causes the sled 2262 to be retracted to the home, or starting, position 2267. In the illustrated example, the sled reset circuit 2264 includes a solenoid 2269 that, when activated, is configured to pull, or retract, a wire or rod 2268 coupled to the retaining feature 2270.

As described elsewhere herein, the sled 2262 of an unfired staple cartridge 2220 prevents the firing lockout assembly 1221 from transitioning to a locked configuration while the sled 2262 is at the home, or starting, position 2267. Accordingly, retraction of the sled 2262 by the sled reset circuit 2264 ensures that an unfired staple cartridge 2220 is not mistaken for a previously fired staple cartridge 2220 due to an incidental advancement of the sled to from the home, or starting, position 2267. Notably, the sled reset circuit 2264 is capable of retracting the sled 2262 only when the retaining feature 2270 is coupled to the sled 2262. Once the sled 2262 is advanced distally by the drive member beyond its coupling engagement was the retaining feature 2270, the staple cartridge 2220 is deemed as fired.

In various aspects, the sled reset circuit 2264 can be incorporated into other staple cartridges disclosed elsewhere herein. In certain aspects, the sled reset circuit 2264 can be coupled to the control circuit 1930, and can be activated by the control circuit 1930, in response to a determination by the control circuit 1930 that the sled 2262 is not at the home, or starting, position 2267. In such aspects, one or more of the sensors 1938 may detect that the sled 2262 is at a position beyond the home, or starting position 2267. In response, the control circuit 1930 may activate the sled reset circuit 2264 to return the sled 2262 to the home, or starting, position 2267 prior to initializing the firing stroke.

Referring now to FIGS. 42-44, an alternative embodiment of a sled reset circuit 2364 is depicted. Like the sled reset circuit 2264, the sled reset circuit 2364 is also configured to retract a sled 2362 to a home, or starting position within a predetermined range of motion of the sled 2362 where a retaining feature 2370 remains movably coupled to the sled 2362. Beyond the predetermined range, a drive member motivates the sled 2362 to decouple from the retaining feature 2370. The retaining feature 2370 is then retracted to a proximal starting position by the sled reset circuit 2364.

Referring now to FIGS. 45-46, a surgical stapling assembly 2450 includes a staple cartridge 2420 including a sled 2462. The staple cartridge assembly 2450 is transitionable to a closed configuration to grasp tissue in a similar manner to that described in connection with other staple cartridges assemblies such as, for example, the staple cartridge assemblies 1150, 1250. A working end 2484 of a drive member (e.g., drive member 1182) defines an I-beam configured to effect a firing of the surgical stapling assembly 2450.

The working end 2484 includes a first flange 2484 a, a second flange, a vertical strut 2484 c interconnecting the first flange 2484 a and the second flange, and a knife supported on or formed into the vertical strut 2484 c. The second flange is positioned to be slidably received within a channel of an anvil assembly (e.g., anvil assembly 1130) and the first flange 2484 a is positioned to be slidably positioned along an outer surface of surgical stapling assembly 2450. Actuation sled 2462 is disposed within cartridge assembly 2450 at a position distal of the working end 2484.

In various aspects, a flexible arm 2470 extends from the working end 2484 into a channel 2471 defined in a side wall of a cartridge body 2459 of the staple cartridge 2420. In illustrated example, the flexible arm 2470 defines a leaf-spring arm member that passes through the channel 2471 and latches onto a distal portion of the sled 2470. The flexible arm 2470 is configured to retract the sled 2462 to a home, or starting, position.

In the channel 2471, the flexible arm 2470 is flattened such that it is naturally pressing into the side of the sled 2462. In at least one example, a distal end of the flexible arm 2470 passes the distal end of the sled 2462. A tab 2472 extends out from the flexible arm 2470, in the relaxed position, to latch onto the front edge of the sled 2462. The motion of the working end 2484 that occurs prior to driving the knife of the staple cartridge assembly 2450 during a full firing stroke will allow for the flexible arm 2470 to pull the sled 2462 back into the home, or starting, position as long as the sled 2462 is within a threshold defined by the length of the side channel 2471.

FIGS. 47-51 illustrate various aspects of a sled resetting mechanism 2500 for retracting a sled of a staple cartridge (e.g., staple cartridge 2520) to a home position (H) prior to firing a surgical instrument to deploy staples of the staple cartridge 2520. As discussed elsewhere herein, a sled of an unfired staple cartridge can be inadvertently moved if the staple cartridge is bumped or shaken, which may cause the staple cartridge to be mistakenly deemed as fired and/or may cause a firing lockout assembly to be activated. The sled resetting mechanism 2500 is configured to return a sled that was inadvertently moved to its home position (H) within the staple cartridge as long as the sled has not moved beyond a predetermined distance (d1) from the home position (H).

FIG. 47 illustrates a sled 2562 of the staple cartridge 2520 at a position distal to the home position (H) but proximal to the distal position (A) defined by the predetermined distance (d1). Prior to firing, a sled resetting member 2592 retracts the sled 2562 to the home position (H). The sled resetting member 2592 includes catcher 2595, which can be in the form of a hook or a bent portion, configured to engage a distal portion of the sled 2562 to return the sled 2562 to the home position (H).

In various aspects, a portion of the sled resetting member 2592 extends, and is slidably movable below the sled 2562 such as, for example, within a channel defined in a cartridge pan of the staple cartridge 2520. In at least one example, as illustrated in FIG. 51, the sled resetting member 2592 is manually operable by an actuation member 2593 defined in a handle 2507. A user can pull the actuation member 2593 proximally to return the sled 2562 to the home position (H) prior to activation of the firing mechanism.

In another example, as illustrated in FIGS. 49 and 50, the sled resetting member 2592 is powered by a motor assembly 2504 similar in many respects to the motor drive assembly 1904 of the surgical instrument 1901. In the illustrated example, the motor drive assembly 2504 includes a linear threaded coupler 2598 operably connected to the sled resetting member 2592. In the illustrated example, the motor assembly 2504 is housed in a handle 2510 that includes a trigger member 2512. A movement of the trigger member 2512 to a first position causes the motor assembly 2504 to retract the sled resetting member 2592 thereby returning the sled 2562 to the home position (H). A second movement of the trigger member 2512 from the first position to a second position activates the firing stroke, or firing motion, to deploy staples from the staple cartridge 2520.

The sled resetting mechanism 2500 can be implemented in combination with other suitable embodiments of the present disclosure such as, for example, a sled detection circuit. Further, the sled resetting mechanism 2500 can be implemented in combination with suitable components of the surgical stapling instrument 1901. For example, the control circuit 1930 may determine that the sled is at a position different than the home position based on the sled detection circuit. In response, the control circuit 1930 may cause the motor assembly 2504 to return the sled to the home position, which can be verified by the sled detection circuit, for example.

In use, the sled 2562 is returned to the home position (H) by the sled resetting member 2592, as illustrated in FIG. 47. Then, a drive member (e.g. drive member 1182), is configured to advance a working end thereof (e.g. working end 1184) to engage the sled 2562 to advance the sled 2562 to deploy staples from the staple cartridge 2520. In various aspects, as illustrated in FIG. 48, the sled resetting member 2592 includes a raised portion 2597, which can be in the form of a ramp, positioned proximal to the catcher 2595. During advancement of the drive member 2582, the working end 2584 may engage the raised portion 2597 prior to engaging the sled 2562, which causes the catcher 2595 to move out of a firing path 2503 of the sled 2562. In at least one example, the working end 2584 causes the catcher 2595 to drop into the channel defined in the cartridge pan of the staple cartridge 2520, which permits further advancement of the sled 3562.

In various aspects, setting acceptable and/or unacceptable sled positions, or sled distances from the home position, which is also referred to herein as a functional window, along a firing path can depend, at least in part, on staple cartridge size. Accordingly, to accurately set such positions, or distances, surgical cartridge may include identification codes which can be communicated to a control circuit (e.g., control circuit 1930) after attachment of the staple cartridge to the surgical instrument (e.g., surgical instrument 1901). The communication may occur through a wired connection with the staple cartridge, or wirelessly.

In various aspects, the control circuit may select a suitable function window given the expected location of the sled contact based on the communicated identification code of the cartridge. In various aspects, the firing system may further adjust one or more parameters of a predetermined firing program such as, for example, the force/velocity/stroke of both the sensing region based on the identification of the cartridge and/or the actuation region based on the timing/location of the sensed sled relative to its expected location.

Referring now to FIGS. 52-56, a loading unit 2600 is similar in many respects to other loading units described elsewhere herein such as, for example, the loading units 1100, 1200. For example, the loading unit 2600 includes a staple cartridge assembly 2650 and an anvil assembly 2630. At least one of the anvil assembly 2630 and the staple cartridge assembly 2650 is movable relative to the other from an open configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 53, to a closed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 54, to grasp tissue. Staples are deployed into the tissue from staple cavities 2621 defined in a cartridge body 2622 of a staple cartridge 2620 of the staple cartridge assembly 2650. The anvil assembly 2630 includes pockets configured to deform the staples.

Further to the above, the staple cartridge 2620 includes a cartridge pan 2658 configured to prevent the staples from falling out of the staple cavities 2621. The cartridge body 2622 is attachable to the cartridge pan 2658 by way projections 2623 receivable in a corresponding cutouts 2653 defined in side walls of the cartridge pan 2658. In various examples, the cutouts 26523 are sized and shaped to receive the corresponding cutouts 2653 to secure the cartridge body 2622 to the cartridge pan 2657.

In use, the staple cartridge 2620 is inserted into the elongated channel 2657 for assembly therewith. In various aspects, the staple cartridge 2620 and the elongated channel 2657 comprise corresponding locking features. In the illustrated example, pan projections 2656, which are defined in side walls of the cartridge pan 2658, are received in L-shaped slots 2659 when the staple cartridge 2620 is inserted into the elongated channel 2657.

The corresponding locking features of the staple cartridge 2620 and the elongated channel 2657 permit a proximal translating motion of the cartridge pan 2658 relative to the elongated channel 2658 to lock the staple cartridge 2620 to the elongated channel 2657, and a distal translating motion of the cartridge pan 2658 relative to the elongated channel 2658 to unlock the staple cartridge 2620 to the elongated channel 2657. In the illustrated example, the L-shaped slots 2659 are sized and shaped to permit the corresponding projections 2656 to translate proximally a distance “X” in the long arm of L-shaped slots 2659 thereby locking the staple cartridge 2620 to the elongated channel 2657, and to translate distally the distance “X” in the long arm of L-shaped slots 2659 thereby unlocking the staple cartridge 2620 from the elongated channel 2657.

In other examples, the projections can be defined in an elongated channel and corresponding L-shaped slots can be defined in a cartridge pan of a staple cartridge. Furthermore, other suitable mating and locking mechanisms can be implemented to produce locked and unlocked configurations of a staple cartridge and an elongated channel. For example, slots with other suitable shapes can replace the L-shaped slot.

Further to the above, the locking mechanism of the staple cartridge 2620 to the elongated channel 2657 is implemented automatically during the transition to a closed configuration of the anvil assembly 2630 and the staple cartridge assembly 2650, as illustrated in FIGS. 53 and 54. In certain examples, the anvil assembly 2630 is configured to cause the cartridge pan 2658 to translate proximally relative to the elongated channel 2657 into the locked configuration. In the illustrated example, the anvil assembly 2630 includes camming members 2631 configured to retract the cartridge pan 2658 to the locked configuration as the loading unit 2600 is transitioned into the closed configuration (FIG. 54).

In the illustrated example, the cartridge pan 2658 includes a proximal tongue portion 2662 bisected by a pan slot 2663. The proximal tongue portion 2662 includes cutouts 2661 on opposite sides of the pan slot 2663. The camming members 2631 are configured to engage proximal edges 2664 of the cutouts 2661 during a closure motion of the loading unit 2600. As the loading unit 2600 is transitioned to the closed configuration, the camming members 2631 exert a camming force against the proximal edges 2664 of the cutouts 2661 thereby causing the cartridge pan 2658 to translate proximally into the locked configuration. Accordingly, the closure motion of the loading unit 2600 automatically transitions the staple cartridge 2620 into a locked configuration with the elongated channel 2657.

In the illustrated example, to ensure a proper engagement with the camming member 2631 the proximal end of the proximal tongue portion 2662 is bent toward the cutouts 2661 thereby forming the edges 2664. The camming members 2631 are configured to engage the edges 2664 as the camming members 2631 pivot with the anvil assembly 2630 towards the staple cartridge 2620. In other example, an anvil assembly including the camming members 2631 can be fixed, and an elongated channel is pivoted towards the anvil assembly to yield a closed configurations. In such examples, the edges 2664 are moved towards the camming members 2631. When the edges 2664 engage the camming members 2641, the camming force causes the cartridge pan 2658 to translate proximally to the locked configuration.

Further to the above, the elongated channel 2657 includes proximal slots or cutouts 2671 defined in a proximal portion of a base 2672 of the elongated channel 2657. The cutouts 2671 are laterally or transversely aligned, or at least partially aligned, with the cutouts 2661. In the unlocked configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 53, the cutouts 2661 are distal to the cutouts 2671. However, in the locked configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 54, the cutouts 2661 are longitudinally aligned with cutouts 2671, or at least are closer to a longitudinal alignment with the cutouts 2671 than in the unlocked configuration. As the camming members 1631 are pivotally moved in the cutouts 2661, 2671, the camming members 2631 are configured to cause the cutouts 2661 to move proximally a distance “X” to be aligned, or at least partially aligned, with the cutouts 2671, as illustrated in FIG. 54.

After completion of the firing stroke, a spent staple cartridge 2620 is removed from the elongated channel 2657 by translating the cartridge pan 2658 to the unlocked configuration. In the illustrated example, the cartridge pan 2658 includes a release feature 2655, which can be in the form of a finger tab. The release feature 2655 is slidably movable distally in a corresponding slot 2620, defined in nose portion 2626 of the cartridge body 2622, to transition the staple cartridge 2620 to the unlocked configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 55 and 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 57-61, a staple surgical assembly 2750 includes an elongated channel 2757, a staple cartridge 2758, and a retainer 2730. The staple surgical assembly 2750 is similar in many respects to other staple surgical assemblies described elsewhere herein. For example, the staple surgical assembly 2750 can be incorporated into any suitable surgical instrument described elsewhere herein.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 57, the staple cartridge assembly 2750 is in a first configuration where the retainer 2730 is assembled with the staple cartridge 2720 to prevent staples from inadvertently falling out of staple cavities of the staple cartridge 2720. In the first configuration, long tabs 2731 of the retainer 2730 define retainer arms that engage a cartridge pan 2758 of the staple cartridge 2720, and short tabs 2732 define retainer arms that engage a cartridge body 2721 of the staple cartridge 2720. The tabs 2731, 2732 cooperate to maintain the retainer 2730 pressed against a deck 2722 of the cartridge body 2721 in the first configuration to maintain staples in their staple cavities. In the illustrated example, the cartridge body 2721 includes ledges 2723 extending laterally from the deck 2722. The ledges 2723 are engaged by the short tabs 2732 in the first configuration.

After completion of the firing stroke, a spent staple cartridge 2720 is removed from the elongated channel 2757, as illustrated in FIGS. 58-61, by the retainer 2730. In a second configuration, the long tabs 2731 of the retainer 2730 are inserted through tracks or notches 2724 defined in the cartridge body 2721, as best illustrated in FIG. 60. The tabs 2731 release collapsible members 2755 of the cartridge pan 2558 from corresponding apertures 2756 of the elongated channel 2757 to permit removal of the staple cartridge 2720 from the elongated channel 2757 by the retainer 2730, as illustrated in FIG. 61.

In the illustrated example, the collapsible members 2755 are in the form of leaf springs that can be stamped or formed in the sidewalls of the cartridge pan 2758. The tabs 2731 include hook features 2733 configured to collapse the collapsible members 2755 to release the collapsible members 2755 from the apertures 2756 as the tabs 2731 are advanced in the tracks 2724, and further configured to form a movable locking-engagement with the collapsed collapsible members 2755 in the second configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 60.

The retainer 2730 is then pulled away from the elongated channel 2757 to remove the staple cartridge 2720 from the elongated channel 2757, as illustrated in FIG. 61. As the retainer 2730 is pulled away, the hook features 2733 lift the collapsible members 2755 out of the tracks 2724 thereby releasing the staple cartridge 2720 from the elongated channel 2757.

In the illustrated example, the apertures 2756 are defined in sidewalls of the elongated channel 2757 in the form of cutouts. In other examples, the apertures 2756 can be replaced with recesses or slots defined on inner surfaces of the inner walls of the elongated channel 2757. The recesses or slots are shaped and sized to receive the collapsible members 2755 in their natural state in a similar manner to that illustrated in FIG. 59 with respect to the apertures 2756.

Referring still to FIGS. 59-61, a method of using the retainer 2730 to remove a spent staple cartridge 2720 from the elongated channel 2757 is depicted. The method includes decoupling the retainer 2730 from the staple cartridge assembly 2750. The method further includes inserting the tabs 2731 into the track 2724, releasing the collapsible members 2755 from the apertures 2756 by the hook features 2733 of the tabs 2731, and forming a movable locking-engagement between the collapsed collapsible members 2755 and the hook features 2733 in the tracks 2724. The method further includes pulling the retainer 2730 away from the elongated channel 2757 to remove the spent staple cartridge 2720 from the elongated channel 2757.

Referring now to FIG. 62, a staple surgical assembly 2850 includes a quick-release feature that facilitates removal of a staple cartridge 2820 from an elongated channel 2857 of a surgical instrument. The staple surgical assembly 2850 is similar in many respects to other staple surgical assemblies described elsewhere herein. For example, the staple surgical assembly 2850 can be incorporated into any suitable surgical instrument described elsewhere herein.

The staple cartridge 2820 includes a cartridge body 2821 and a cartridge pan 2858. Furthermore, the staple cartridge 2858 includes a cartridge release member 2822 movably disposed in a nose portion 2823 of the cartridge body 2821. In the illustrated example, the cartridge release member 2822 is linearly movable through a passage 2824 defined in the nose portion 2823 from an unactuated configuration to an actuated configuration. In the unactuated configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 62, the cartridge release member 2822 protrudes from the nose portion 2823 through one end of the passage 2824. When actuated, by applying an external pressure thereto for example, the cartridge release member 2822 moves in the passage 2824, and protrudes through the other end of the passage 2824. The cartridge release member 2822 then presses against the elongated channel 2857 to release the staple cartridge 2820 from the elongated channel 2857. In the illustrated example, the passage 2824 defines a direction of motion for the cartridge release member 2822 that is at an acute angle with the elongated channel 2857

The surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In certain instances, the motors disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a robotically controlled system. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example, discloses several examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greater detail, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The disclosures of International Patent Publication No. WO 2017/083125, entitled STAPLER WITH COMPOSITE CARDAN AND SCREW DRIVE, published May 18, 2017, International Patent Publication No. WO 2017/083126, entitled STAPLE PUSHER WITH LOST MOTION BETWEEN RAMPS, published May 18, 2017, International Patent Publication No. WO 2015/153642, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION, published Oct. 8, 2015, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0265954, filed Mar. 17, 2017, entitled STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DUAL DISTAL PULLEYS, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0265865, filed Feb. 15, 2017, entitled STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DISTAL PULLEY, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0290586, entitled STAPLING CARTRIDGE, filed on Mar. 29, 2017, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the embodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments are envisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned which utilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an end effector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodes configured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an end effector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrational energy to seal the tissue.

Examples

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples.

Example 1—A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

Example 2—The loading unit of Example 1, further comprising a driving member configured to move the sled toward the second position.

Example 3—The loading unit of Examples 1 or 2, further comprising a firing lockout assembly configured to prevent advancement of the drive member.

Example 4—The loading unit of Example 3, wherein the lockout assembly is deactivated when the sled is maintained by the retention features at the first position.

Example 5—The loading unit of Examples 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the cartridge pan comprises a longitudinal pan slot extending longitudinally along a portion thereof, and wherein the driving member defines a plane extending along the longitudinal pan slot.

Example 6—The loading unit of Example 5, wherein the retaining features are located on opposite sides of the plane.

Example 7—The loading unit of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the sled comprises bores configured to receive the retaining features when the sled is at the first position.

Example 8—The loading unit of Example 7, wherein the retaining features are configured to extend through the cartridge pan into the bores defined in the sled to maintain the sled at the first position.

Example 9—The loading unit of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the retaining features comprise a leaf spring.

Example 10—The loading unit of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein the retaining features comprise a protrusion comprising a radius of curvature.

Example 11—The loading unit of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the retention features are collapsible.

Example 12—The loading unit of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, wherein the retaining features are defined in side walls of the elongated channels, and wherein the retaining features are configured to be received in corresponding side grooves of the sled when the sled is located at the first position.

Example 13—A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument an elongated channel and a driving member. The staple cartridge comprising a deck defining a tissue contacting surface, a housing, and a cartridge pan releasably attachable to the elongated channel. The staple cartridge further comprises retaining features, staple drivers stored in the housing between the deck and the cartridge pan, and staples stored in the housing. The staples are deployable through the deck into tissue by the staple drivers. The staple cartridge further comprises a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position to motivate the staple drivers to deploy the staples. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement of the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

Example 14—The staple cartridge of Example 13, wherein the cartridge pan comprises a longitudinal pan slot extending longitudinally along a portion thereof, wherein the driving member defines a plane extending along the longitudinal pan slot, and wherein the retaining features are located on opposite sides of the plane.

Example 15—The staple cartridge of Examples 13 or 14, wherein the retaining features comprise perforated breakable doors located between the first position and the second position.

Example 16—The staple cartridge of Examples 13, 14, or 15, wherein the retaining features are collapsible.

Example 17—The staple cartridge of Examples 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the retaining features are deactivated when the staple cartridge is assembled with the elongated channel.

Example 18—A staple cartridge assembly that comprises an elongated channel comprising a first retaining feature, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan comprising a second retaining feature, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

Example 19—The staple cartridge assembly of Example 18, wherein the first retaining feature is configured to maintain the sled prior to the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel but not after the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel.

Example 20—The staple cartridge assembly of Examples 18 or 19, wherein the second retaining feature is configured to maintain the sled after the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel but not before the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel.

While several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of Applicant to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described forms can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various forms of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the forms disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative form of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution.

Instructions used to program logic to perform various disclosed aspects can be stored within a memory in the system, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Furthermore, the instructions can be distributed via a network or by way of other computer readable media. Thus a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc, read-only memory (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROMs), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage used in the transmission of information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

As used in any aspect herein, the term “control circuit” may refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor including one or more individual instruction processing cores, processing unit, processor, microcontroller, microcontroller unit, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), or field programmable gate array (FPGA)), state machine circuitry, firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry, and any combination thereof. The control circuit may, collectively or individually, be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on-chip (SoC), desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, servers, smart phones, etc. Accordingly, as used herein “control circuit” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

As used in any aspect herein, the term “logic” may refer to an app, software, firmware and/or circuitry configured to perform any of the aforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets and/or data recorded on non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions or instruction sets and/or data that are hard-coded (e.g., nonvolatile) in memory devices.

As used in any aspect herein, the terms “component,” “system,” “module” and the like can refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

As used in any aspect herein, an “algorithm” refers to a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, where a “step” refers to a manipulation of physical quantities and/or logic states which may, though need not necessarily, take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is common usage to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and/or states.

A network may include a packet switched network. The communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using a selected packet switched network communications protocol. One example communications protocol may include an Ethernet communications protocol which may be capable permitting communication using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The Ethernet protocol may comply or be compatible with the Ethernet standard published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) titled “IEEE 802.3 Standard”, published in December, 2008 and/or later versions of this standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using an X.25 communications protocol. The X.25 communications protocol may comply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may be capable of communicating with each other using a frame relay communications protocol. The frame relay communications protocol may comply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and/or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively or additionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with each other using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications protocol. The ATM communications protocol may comply or be compatible with an ATM standard published by the ATM Forum titled “ATM-MPLS Network Interworking 2.0” published August 2001, and/or later versions of this standard. Of course, different and/or after-developed connection-oriented network communication protocols are equally contemplated herein.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the foregoing disclosure, it is appreciated that, throughout the foregoing disclosure, discussions using terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flow diagrams are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an exemplification,” “one exemplification,” and the like means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one aspect,” “in an aspect,” “in an exemplification,” and “in one exemplification” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, terms “about” or “approximately” as used in the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, means an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 50%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in all instances by the term “about,” in which the numerical parameters possess the inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter described herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Also, all ranges recited herein are inclusive of the end points of the recited ranges. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes the end points 1 and 10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited. All such ranges are inherently described in this specification.

Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein, to the extent that the incorporated materials is not inconsistent herewith. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the concepts described herein. The foregoing description of the one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen and described in order to illustrate principles and practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various forms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith define the overall scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument, the loading unit comprising: a shaft; and an end effector extending from the shaft, the end effector comprising: a first jaw, comprising an anvil; and a second jaw wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue, the second jaw comprising: an elongated channel comprising retaining features; and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith, wherein the staple cartridge comprises: a cartridge pan; and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position, wherein the retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.
 2. The loading unit of claim 1, further comprising a driving member configured to move the sled toward the second position.
 3. The loading unit of claim 2, further comprising a firing lockout assembly configured to prevent advancement of the drive member.
 4. The loading unit of claim 3, wherein the lockout assembly is deactivated when the sled is maintained by the retention features at the first position.
 5. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the cartridge pan comprises a longitudinal pan slot extending longitudinally along a portion thereof, and wherein the driving member defines a plane extending along the longitudinal pan slot.
 6. The loading unit of claim 5, wherein the retaining features are located on opposite sides of the plane.
 7. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the sled comprises bores configured to receive the retaining features when the sled is at the first position.
 8. The loading unit of claim 7, wherein the retaining features are configured to extend through the cartridge pan into the bores defined in the sled to maintain the sled at the first position.
 9. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the retaining features comprise a leaf spring.
 10. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the retaining features comprise a protrusion comprising a radius of curvature.
 11. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the retention features are collapsible.
 12. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the retaining features are defined in side walls of the elongated channels, and wherein the retaining features are configured to be received in corresponding side grooves of the sled when the sled is located at the first position.
 13. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument an elongated channel and a driving member, the staple cartridge comprising: a deck defining a tissue contacting surface; a housing; a cartridge pan releasably attachable to the elongated channel; retaining features; staple drivers stored in the housing between the deck and the cartridge pan; staples stored in the housing, wherein the staples are deployable through the deck into tissue by the staple drivers; and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position to motivate the staple drivers to deploy the staples, wherein the retaining features are configured to resist a movement of the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.
 14. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein the cartridge pan comprises a longitudinal pan slot extending longitudinally along a portion thereof, wherein the driving member defines a plane extending along the longitudinal pan slot, and wherein the retaining features are located on opposite sides of the plane.
 15. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein the retaining features comprise perforated breakable doors located between the first position and the second position.
 16. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein the retention features are collapsible.
 17. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein the retaining features are deactivated when the staple cartridge is assembled with the elongated channel.
 18. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising: an elongated channel comprising a first retaining feature; and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith, wherein the staple cartridge comprises: a cartridge pan comprising a second retaining feature; and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position, wherein the retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.
 19. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein the first retaining feature is configured to maintain the sled prior to the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel but not after the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel.
 20. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein the second retaining features is configured to maintain the sled after the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel but not before the insertion of the staple cartridge into the elongated channel. 